Be alert and always keep on praying.
Happy Three Kings Day!
Today we remember that Jesus was revealed to the world by the visit of the Three Kings (or Magi) after His birth, also known as Epiphany (read Matthew 2:1-12).
While the Christmas season (or Advent) emphasises waiting (active waiting though it may be), Epiphany emphasises active seeking. And that is where every faith journey starts: with a heart that actively seeks God.
The Magi, who came to Jerusalem searching for Jesus, were astrologers —men who spent their days studying the stars. One day, they saw a sign: a star unlike any they had ever seen.
One thing we can learn from them is the importance of spiritual attentiveness– the importance of being alert and open to the signs that God might be at work around us. Active seeking starts with active watching.
The Bible tells us:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
And:
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. – Ephesians 6:18 NIV
One of my favourite preachers, Pastor Joseph Prince, always says:
“If you want to know what God is doing, look at what the devil is doing and turn it around.”
Cameron and I have found this to be true in our lives. Often, we have noticed that the areas where we experience the most resistance or setbacks turn out to be the areas where we witness the greatest breakthroughs.
Take a moment to pause today and look at your own life. Do you see any signs of what God might be doing? Have any “unexpected stars” appeared lately? Has anything new caught your attention?
Ask God if there is something He’s trying to tell you.
